Mum was my guardian angel, says Gov Dickson

Bayelsa State Governor, the Henry Seriake Dickson, has paid glowing tributes to his late mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson, whom he described as an integral part of his journey in life.

Governor Dickson, in his brief remarks on Monday night during a solemn service organised by the state government at the Governor’s Lodge in Yenagoa to commiserate with him, said his mum popularly known as Mama Gogo was more than just a mother.

“My mother has been an integral part of my journey. She was not just my mother. She was my elder sister, she was my rock, my counsellor, my guardian angel and because of her subtle style, people might not know the level of her influence,” said Governor Dickson.

He explained that, his mother complained of pain in the leg in January, which was later discovered at the Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre to be cancer.

He thanked the state for the outpouring of genuine grief and called for prayers for the family, especially during this period.

Governor Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, equally expressed appreciation and gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Nigerian leaders, who called to commiserate with him and his family.

“Let me on behalf of my family and government of Bayelsa State express our deep appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, who took time off his vacation in the United Kingdom to personally call to condole with me and offer prayers for my mother and family.

“Similarly, I thank the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who also called me to commiserate with us in our moment of grief.

“My profound appreciation also goes to all former Heads of State and Presidents of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Dr Goodluck Jonathan for personally calling and writing formal condolence letters to condole with us.

“I was humbled by the outpour of concern and love shown to me by my colleagues and brother Governors who spared precious time out of their busy schedules to commiserate with my family and I.

“I am also grateful to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for identifying with us in our most trying period.

“I specially thank the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara, the Deputy Senate President, Professor Ike Ekweremadu, the entire leadership of the National Assembly and indeed all federal lawmakers and former leadership of the National Assembly for commiserating with us.

“The entire leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and particularly the National Working Committee (NWC) ably led by Prince Uche Secondus mourned with us, for which we are immensely appreciative”.